Happy Heralds, IncII. THE COMPREHENSION OF STEWARDSHIP The Extent of our Accountability To God (Rom. 14:10-12). “. . . For we all shall present[technical term, lit.: to. stand alongside] ourselves alongside The Christ’s judgment seat[Baymah] on steps. . . . So then therefore each + of us shall give account concerning himself to The God” (Rom. 14:10-12APT). Comprehension defined: “1. a: the act or process of comprising (constituting); b: the faculty or capability of including: COMPREHENSIVENESS; 2. a: the act or action of grasping with the intellect: UNDERSTANDING; b: knowledge gained by comprehending; c: the capacity for understanding fully . . .” Of what are we responsible to manage well? A. The Totality of Your Life. Job 1:21, 1 Tim.6:7; 1 Cor. 6:19,20 cf. v. 15; 2 Cor. 5:9-11; Luke 16:1-13; 19:12-27. “And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). “For we brought in not one~ thing into the World. Clearly,[Ps. 49:17; Eccl. 5:15] ‘We are able to take[bring] out not even one~ thing’” (1 Tim. 6:7APT). “1Moreover He was saying also to[the face of] His disciples, A certain human was a rich+ one, who continued to have a manager[steward,.lit.: house administrator, usually a promoted bondslave] of affairs. And this + one was being [successively] incriminated to him as dissipating his /possessions. 2And when he called him, he said to him, How |is| this~ I am hearing concerning you$! Render at once the accounting of your$ /stewardship[managing of affairs]! For you& are not able still to manage affairs. 3Then the manager[cf. v. 1] of affairs said within himself, What should I do, because my /lord is cutting off for himself the stewardship[v. 2] away from me? I am not strong |enough | to dig. I am ashamed to begin to beg. 4I just realized what I will do so that, whenever I am removed from the stewardship[v.2], they hospitably receive me into their /houses. 5And when he summoned to himself each one of the money debtors of the lord of himself, he was saying to the first, How much are you$ indebted[legally . obligated] to my /lord? 6Then he said, One hundred baths[1044 gallons or 33] barrels of olive oil. And he said to him, Take in hand[receive hospitably] your$ promissory note [writing] and, after sitting down, hastily write fifty[522 gallons or 16.5 barrels ]! 7Thereupon he said to another[different kind], Now how much are you& yourself indebted[v. 5]? Then he said, An hundred kors[5960 pecks or 1490 bushels] of grain. And he said to him, Take in hand[v. 6] your$ promissory note[writing] and write eighty[4768 pecks or 1192 bu.]! 8And the lord acclaimed the manager[v.1] of the unrighteousness because he did prudently. Because the sons of this /age in regard to the generation of themselves are more prudent than the Sons[Jn. 12:36] of The Light. 9And I Myself am saying to you&, Make for yourselves friends by means of the mammon[wealth, total assets in. your trust] of the unrighteousness! in order that, whenever you& fail [to breathe], they [inhabitants] hospitably receive you& into the eternal habitations [tabernacle, place of rest and worship]. 10The faithful+ one in a very least~ thing is also a faithful + one in a great~ thing and the unjust+ one in a very least~ thing is also an unjust+ one in a great~ thing. 11Therefore if (and it is true) you& do not emerge faithful+ ones in the unjust mammon, who will commit trust to you& the genuine |wealth|? 12And if (and it is true) you& have not become faithful+ ones in what~ belongs to a stranger, who will give to you& what~ belongs to you&? 13Not one+ household servant is able to serve as a bondslave to two lords. For either he will hate the+ one and he will love[sovereignly prefer over self and others] the other[different kind], or he will cling to one+ and despise the other[different kind]. You$ are not able to serve as a bondslave to God and to mammond. 14Now the Pharisees, being[existing] lovers[fond of silver] of money, also heard all these things~; and they derided[turn up the nose at] Him. 15And He said to them, You$ yourselves are the+ ones justifying[declare righteous] yourselves in the presence of the humans. But The God continually knowsk your& /hearts. Because the thing~ high among humans is abomination [detested offensive stench] in The God’s viewpoint” (Lk. 16:1-15APT). “Or, you& are aware, are you& not? ‘The body of yours& is a 0Holy Place [of theTemple] of 0Holy Spirit Who |is| in you&, Whom you& continually have from 0God’; and, ‘You& continually are not belonging to yourselves, 20for you& are redeemed[bought in a marketplace] with a highly respected precious price.’ Accordingly glorify [exalt with majestic radiant splendor] The God in the body of yours & and in the spirit of yours&, which&[whichever] are The God’s!” (1 Cor. 6:19,20APT). “You& are aware that your& /bodies are continually 0members of Christ, are you& not? Therefore shall I carry off and make the members of /Christ members of a harlot? May it never be!” (1 Cor. 6:15APT). 1. Your Body - Soul - Spirit (1 Thes. 5:23): The humans are tripartite beings composed of Body - Soul - Spirit. “Now may The God of The Peace Himself [optative of wish]sanctify you& to the fullest extent[both quality and time] and may your& entire: /spirit and /soul and /body [optative of wish] be kept watchfully secure blamelessly at the coming presence of The Lord of ours, Jesus Christ. a. Properly Use Each Part. Keep your order of priority in keeping with The God’s order, which is the spirit in control of your soul and your body, and your body subject to your soul. The use of each part of the human is to be in this order of control and consideration: your spirit, your soul, and your body. First in priority for the human is to be Godward through your spirit. Second in priority for the human is manward through use of your soul. Thirdly in priority for the human is selfward through proper use of your body. Note what principles The God gave to His chosen people concerning the body (Lev. 19:27,28). Even the offspring of the priests with marked or marred bodies could not serve at the altar before The God (Lev. 221:1,17-23). [Refer to the chart on the Tri-unity. Click here.} b. Do Not Misuse Any Part. Misuse by each type of person below changes the priority and control of each part in the vertical order listed below: Immoral moral carnal spiritual unbeliever unbeliever believer believer body soul soul spirit soul body spirit soul spirit spirit body body c. Do not Abuse your body. Abuse of the body takes place by overdoing it, overtaxing it, overeating, overworking, under and over-exercising it; using: drugs, alcohol, tobacco, makeup; marring and marking it: with tattoos, earrings, and studs: in nose, tongue, lips, and other body parts. d. Do not Disuse your body by laziness, idleness, and sleeping when you should be meeting The Lord in daily devotions, in worship, or in other ways or services. e. Do not Confuse the order of priority by changing it from the order given by The God which is spirit first, soul second, and then body. How can confusion result? (1) By yielding your spirit to the control of your body and soul, rather than yielding your spirit to The Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:14); by doing what you want rather than what The God wants. “For as many as are continually being led by God’s Spirit, these+ are God’s sons” (Rom. 8:14APT). (2) By yielding body, soul, and spirit to other spirits or the occult to be influenced or oppressed by them. (3) By living carnally and immorally as one who lives before encountering a cross-experience (being crucified with The Lord Jesus Christ) while claiming to be trusting and committed to The Lord Jesus Christ (Mt. 16:24-26; Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:17). “At that time /Jesus said to His /disciples, If (and it is true) anyone determinedly wills to come after Me, he is to utterly deny himself! And he is to carry off his /cross! And he is to continually follow Me! For who ever determinedly wills to save his /natural life [soul] shall lose [utterly destroy, ruin] it but who ever lose[utterly destroy, ruin] his /natural life[soul] for the cause of Mine shall find it. For what is a human benefited, if (and it may be) he gain the whole world and forfeit[suffer loss of] his /soul[natural life]? Or what will a human give in exchange for his /soul[natural life]?” (Mt. 16:24-26APT). “I stand crucified together with Christ, but I absolutely live. No longer myself, but Christ absolutely lives in me. In fact what~ I now absolutely live in 0flesh, I absolutely live by means of 0faith^, |namely| the^ one of The Son of The God, Who loved me and delivered Himself over in my behalf” (Gal. 2:20APT). “So that if (and it is true) anyone |be| in Christ, a new [in nature or quality, unused] creature! The early~ things passed away. Lo! the all~ things are permanently become a new[in nature or quality, unused] kind” (2 Cor 5:17APT). Not only is every human responsible to manage the totality of his or her life well, but each is responsible for his or her own works. 2. Your Works (1 Cor.3:9-16). Paul indicates that we all are building by means of our works and describes the kind of works we perform by means of building materials. “For we are God’s fellow workers. You& are God’s vineyard, God’s building. According to the grace of The God which was given to me, as a wise masterbuilder[architect] I have laid down 0foundation, then another[same kind] builds upon|it|. But each one is to constantly beware[see] how he continues building upon |it|! For not one is able to lay down another[same kind] foundation than The+ One lying, Who is Jesus The Christ. Now if (and it is true) anyone build up gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, straw[dead stalk of grain] upon This Foundation, the work of each one shall become public. For the day shall make |it| apparent because it shall be revealed by means of fire. And the fire shall scrutinize[approve after examination] the work of each one of what sort it is. If (and it is true) the work of anyone shall abide which he built upon |it|, he shall receive compensation. If (and it is true) the work of anyone shall be utterly burned up, he shall forfeit[suffer loss] |compensation|. Then he himself shall be saved, but so as through fire. You& are aware that you& are God’s Holy Place[of the Temple] and The Spirit of The God continually dwells in you&, are you& not?” (1 Cor. 3:9-16APT). Paul uses building with two kinds of building material to illustrate the works of the child of God: combustible and non-combustible building material. a. Combustible building material (1) Wood - that which is done for the good of humanity (2 Tim. 2:20, Jer. 5:14; Dan. 4:10-12). “Now in a great dwelling furnishing is not only golden&~ and silver &~ but[on the contrary] also wooden&~ and earthenware vessels; and on the one hand some unto highly respected precious value, but on the other hand some unto disgrace” (2 Tim. 2:20ATP). “Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them”(Jer. 5:14). “Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. (Dan. 4:10-12). King Nebucahdnezzzar was depicted by that tree. (2) Hay - that which is done for the glory of the flesh (1 Peter 1:24: Isa. 40:6-8; Ps. 103.5; Jas. 1:10,11). “All flesh |is| as grass and all human-glory as a blossom of grass. The grass dries up and the blossom of it falls off [out]” (1 Pet. 1:24APT). “The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isa. 40:6-8). “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous” (Ps. 1:3-5). “. . . but the rich[wealthy] one, in his /humiliation! Because as a 0blossom of 0grass he shall pass away. For the sun rose together with the intense heat and it dried up the grass and the blossom of it fell off[out] and the beauty of the appearance[face] of it perishes” (Js. 1:10,11APT). (3) Stubble - The dregs of humanity (Mal. 4:l). “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch” (Mal. 4:1). b. Non-combustible building material (1) Gold - That which is done for the glory of The God (Ex. 28:2,4; 1 Pet. 1:7). “Now in a great dwelling furnishing is not only golden&~ and silver&~ but[on the contrary] also wooden&~ and earthenware vessels; and on the one hand some unto highly respected precious value, but on the other hand some unto disgrace. Therefore if (and it may be) anyone purge himself away from these, he shall be a vessel unto highly respected precious value, standing sanctified and beneficially kind to The Absolute Master and standing prepared for every beneficially good work” (2 Tim. 2:20,21ATP). “And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office” (Ex. 28:2-4). “. . . in order that the trial and approval of the faith[committerd trust] of yours&, |being of| much more highly respected precious value than gold which perishes, though it be approved after examination by means of fire, be found unto acclamation and highly respected precious value and glory[majestic radiant splendor] at Jesus Christ’s revelation” (1 Pet.1:7ATP). Discipling others, teaching Sunday School, serving as deacons, holding offices in church S.S., pianist, office work, worship, honoring God. (2) Silver - That which is done with the redemption of man in view (Num. 3: 45-48; 18:16; cf. Lev. 27:3). “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD. And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites; Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:) And thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons . . . And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs” (Num. 3:45-48; 18:16). “And thy estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old even unto sixty years old, even thy estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary (Lev. 27:3) Tract distribution, personal evangelism, prison and nursing home ministries, witnessing, intercession, inviting others to special services with evangelistic thrust, etc. (3) Precious Stones - regenerated souls won to Christ (Mal. 3:l7). “And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Mal. 3:l7). B. The Teaching (Truth) Received (1 Cor. 15:34; Mt. 7:24-27; 1 Pet. 3:15; Mt. 28:18-20). We are responsible to manage well The Truth (teaching) received, making sure that we give it out accurately and do not hold it back in unrighteousness. “Become righteously sober at once! And stop sinning! For I say to[the face of] your& shame, Some have incognizance of God” (1 Cor. 15:34APT). “Therefore everyone whoever hears these /sayings[words] of Mine and continually does them, I will liken him to a prudent man, whoever built his /dwelling upon the rock ledge. And the wetting descended and the rivers came and the winds blew. And they kept pounding[strike against the face of] against that /dwelling and it did not fall, for its foundation had been laid upon the rock ledge. And everyone who hears these /sayings[words] of Mine and is not continually doing them will be likened to a mang, a moron[fool, worthless thinker] who[whoever] built his /dwelling upon the sand. And the wetting descended and the rivers came and the winds blew. And they kept pounding[strike against the face of] against that /dwelling and it fell. And the fall of it was great” (Mt. 7:24-27APT). “But sanctify[set apart as holy] The Lord God in your& hearts! In fact invariably, along with meekness[patient submissive suffering of. offences] and fear, |be| ready ones with[to the face of] an answer in defense to everyone who petitions you& an account in regard to the hope in you&” (1 Pet. 3:15APT). “And when /Jesus approached[the face of], He spoke to them, saying, All authority is given to Me in Heaven and upon Earth. Therefore journey& and consecutively disciple[train by intimate process] |people of | all the nations, then baptize them in the name of The Father and of The Son and of The Holy Spirit and repeatedly teach them publicly to keep all~ things watchfully secure as many as I commanded you&! And lo! I Myself am being continually with[in midst of] you& all the days until the consummation of the age. Amen!” (Mt. 28:18-20APT). The last words, which Matthew recorded that The Lord Jesus Christ spoke, contain the commandment to make disciples. But this is the most ignored or omitted commandment of all. Little is done in this regard by those who profess to know Him, yet it is absolutely essential to include this in our stewardship. The truths and teachings or doctrines which we have received must be obeyed and passed on to others by every one who claims to know The Lord Jesus Christ. Failure to do this is sin (Jas. 4:17). And hearing what The God’s Word says, but not persistently doing it results in self deception in which we think we are listening to what The Word says therefore we are all right before The God and will be blessed by Him (Jas.1:22-23). “Therefore for one perceiving to do intrinsically good and not continually doing |it|, to him it is sin” (Jas. 4:17APT). “In fact, become 0Word-doers and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves by wrongly reckoning! Because if (and it is true) anyone is a hearer of 0Word and not a doer, this one resembles a man considering the face of his /origin[at birth - unadorned] in a mirror. For he considered himself and he has departed. And immediately he forgot of what sort he was” (Jas.1:22-23APT). 1. Positive Examples of those who taught truth: Ezra (Ezra 7:6; Neh. 8:4); Ezra was a ready scribe in the Law of The LORD and he brought the teachings of The Law before the remnant of Israelites that had returmed to Jerusalem and Judea. Daniel (2:19,27); Daniel was deported to a strange land, Babylon. The LORD used him to instruct King Nebuchadnezzar and to teach through writing prophecy concerning the coming Messiah and when He would come. Paul took aside Timothy (Acts 16:1-3; 2 Tim. 2:2); Paul discipled Timothy and took him with him on his second missionary journey. Later Paul used him to handle problems in the churches he planted. And Timothy communicated truth to others (1 Cor.4:17; 16:10; 2 Cor. 1:19; Phil. 2:19-21; 2Tim. 2:2); Paul also discipled Luke and taught him New Testament truth so well that he wrote approximately an equal volume of the New Testament as Paul. However Paul wrote more Books (13) than Luke did (2). Paul also discipled Titus and took him as a companion and co-worker, whom Paul used as a trusted emissary on his behalf (Tit. 2:4; 2 Cor. 2:12.13 cf. 7:6; 8:6, 23). Paul also taught Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:2), and they discipled Apollos (Acts 18:24-26). Peter took aside John Mark and discipled him (Acts 13:13 cf. 1 Pet. 5:13). John the beloved disciple of Jesus discipled and communcated truth to Polycarp. And You and I have the responsibility to disciple and communicate truth to: The household of ours: to family and servants (Deut . 6:6-8; 4:9) and to others (2 Tim. 2:2). 2. Negative Exhortation: a. Do not detain (hold back) the Truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18)! “For God’s anger is being revealed away from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of humans, who are continually detaining[to hold down or hold back firmly] the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18ATP). You received the Truth freely, give It out freely! The Lord saved you to communicate the gospel and to disciple people of all nations, that is to intimately train in Truth in order that they do likewise with others (1 Tim. 2:2). b. ‘‘Become righteously sober at once! And stop sinning! For I say to your& shame, Some have incognizance of God’’ (1 Cor. 15:34APT). Some have not been instructed and discipled. Stop sinning by your indifference and inaction in this matter. How to manage your life! This includes your time, your talents, and your tasks. The word of The God has much to say about managing our lives especially these three areas of life. The God instructed His people whom He newly redeemed by blood and by power out of Egypt. He taught observance of time by keeping the seventh day for rest and the first day for worship and times during the year for observing special Feasts or Festivals (Lev. 23:9-21) three times a year in the place He would choose. Herein are listed Scriptures that relate to stewardship for your ready access. Jas. 4:13-16; 1 Pet. 1:17; Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5; Rom. 13:11-14; Eccl. 3:1-8,17; 8:6; Rev. 1:10; Lev. 23:9-21; Lk. 12:40-48; Lev. 27:30; Mt. 23:23. “Continually pass[lead] on now! You&, whoever are not acquainted with what |be| upon the morrow, O ones continually saying, Today or tomorrow we will journey unto this here /city and we will produce there for one era[cycle of seasons] and we will trade[buy and sell] for profit and we will gain. For of what sort |is| your& /absolute life? For it is a vapor, which appears for[to the face of] a meager [scant] |time| but thereupon disappears of itself. Instead of which you& are to say, If (and it may be) The Lord determinedly will, we both will absolutely live and we will do this, or that. But now you& continually boast in your& /arrogant displays[of life with no need of The God]. All such like boasting is wicked” (Jas. 4:13-16). “And if (and it is true) you& for yourselves continually invoke 0Father, Who without respect of persons continually judges according to the work of each one, in fear be conducting life for the space of time of the sojourning of yours!” (1 Pet. 1:17APT). “Continually redeem the season of time because the days are wicked^” (Eph. 5:16APT). “Continually walk in wisdom toward the ones without[out away from], redeeming[buy out of a marketplace] the season of time” (Col. 4:5APT). “And this, Perceive the season of time! that |it is already 0hour for us to arise out of sleep. For now our /salvation |is| nearer than when we committed trust. The night progressed. Now the day has drawn near. Therefore let us lay down away from ourselves at once the works of the dark! And let us clothe ourselves at once with the weapons of the light! As in 0day let us constantly walk honorably! not in revelries and in drunkennesses; not: in sexual relations and in excessive unbridled shameless life-styles; not: in contentions and in jealousy[boiling envious zeal]. But on the contrary, clothe yourselves at once with The Lord Jesus Christ! And stop making for yourselves foresightful provision for the passionate lusts of the flesh!” (Rom. 13:11-14APT). “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. . . . I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. . . . Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him” (Eccl. 3:1-8,17; 8:6). “I emerged in 0Spirit in The Day pertaining to 0Lord and I heard in back of me a great sound[call, voice] as of a trumpet” (Rev. 1:10APT). “Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’S passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. . . . And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD. And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin. And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD. Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD. And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the LORD, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the LORD. Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings. And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest. And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations” (Lev. 23:3-21). “ . . . Therefore you& yourselves also become ready ones! Because The Son of /Mans comes in what hour you& do not suppose. Then /Peter said to Him, O Lord, are You$ telling[say] this /parable to [the face of] us, or also to [the face of] all + |people |? But The Lord said, So who then is the faithful and prudent manager [lit.: house administrator, usually a promoted bondslave] of affairs, whom his lord shall appoint[to a position] over his /household[body of domestic servants] care in order to give the grain measure in due season? Blessed[favored and happy because of all God’s beneficent gifts] one |is| that /bondslave whom his /lord, when he comes, shall find doing in this way. Truly I am saying to you& that he shall appoint[to a position] him over all his /possessions. But if (and it may be) that /bondslave say in his /heart, My /ord is delaying to come. And he begin to beat the boy slaves and the young, female bondslaves and to eat and to drink and continually to get himself drunk, the lord of that /bondslave shall arrive in a day in which he does not expect and in an hour in which he does not know[from experience]. And he shall cut him into two pieces and he shall ordain[lay down] his /part with the faithless[not committing trust] one. But that /bondslave, who knew[from experience] the determined will of the lord of himself and did not prepare, nor even do in accord with[to the face of] His determined /will, he shall be thrashed[lit.: to skin] many |times|. But the one who did not know[from experience], but did things~ worthy of stripes shall be thrashed[lit.: to skin] few |times |. Now to everyone to whom much is being given, much will be sought from alongside him. And to whom they themselves bestow[lit.: place alongside] much, they will request exceedingly” (Lk.12:40-48APT). “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD” (Lev. 27:30). “Woe to you&, O hypocrites, scribes and Pharisees! because you& tithe the mint and the dill and the cummin[aromatic condiment] and you& abandoned the heavier |matters| of the law: the judgment and the mercy and the faith[committed trust]. It is absolutely necessary to do these~ things and not to abandon those~ things” (Mt. 23:23). C. Your Time. Make time or time will make you (what you don’t really want to be)! How your week should be apportioned! 24 hours x7 days 168 hours per week 1/10th = 17 hrs. for the Lord -56 hours sleeping 112 -28 hours eating 84 -17 hours per week for the Lord 67 hours for work and self -40 hours for work = 27 hours for self The Lord claims 17 hours or I day of waking time. But then, when you give God one day, you haven’t given God any-thing except what He claims to be His (the Tenth). We call Sunday the Lord’s day. But is it really His day? How do we spend it? If we spend it like many devout people, it will be broken out into the following proportion. How your week should be used for The LORD God! Sunday AM - at the most 3 hours PM - at the most 1.5 hours plus travel time (varies) +1.5 hours 6 hours for the Lord Midweek service +1.5 to 2 hours Visitation? +3 hours At most 11 hours per week in service. 1 hour per day devotions + 7 Time for The Lord 18 hours maximum. What Is your minimum? “Continually redeem the season of time because the days are wicked^” (Eph. 5:16APT). “Continually walk in wisdom toward the ones without[out away from], redeeming[buy out of a marketplace] the season of time” (Col. 4:5APT) “And if (and it is true) you& for yourselves continually invoke 0 Father, Who without respect of persons continually judges according to the work of each one, in fear be conducting life for the space of time of the sojourning of yours!” (1 Pet. 1:17APT). Included in the stewardship of time is the consideration of punctuality. Bill Gothard designed a wall motto which accurately depicts punctuality with an explanation of it. “Punctuality: showing high esteem for other people and their time.” D. Your Talents. Your innate abilities as well as your spiritual gifts are to be used for Him and not for self, even if you use them to earn your living. Manage both spiritual grace-gifts and talents well as you do all your other assets even though some may be seemingly intangible (Mt. 25:24-30; 1 Pet. 4:l0,11; Acts 11:29; Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:27,28). “Therefore continually watch&! because you& are not aware of the day nor the hour in which The Son of /Man is coming. For |it is | even as a human, when travelling abroad[away from the community], summoned his own /bondslaves and delivered to them his /possessions. And to one [whom] on the one hand he gave five talents[1t=3000 shekels=40 years’ pay, so 5 t=200 years’ pay], but to one[whom] on another hand two[80 years pay], yet to one[whom] on still another hand one[40 years’ pay]; to each+ one according to his own /ability. And immediately he travelled abroad[away from the community]. Then the+ one receiving the~ five talents[200 years’ pay] journeyed and worked by means of them. And he made another five talentso. Likewise also the+ one |receiving| the~ two, he also himself gained another[same kind] two. But the+ one receiving the~ one departed and digged in the earth. And he hid away his /lord’s /silver money. Now after a long period of time the lord of those /bondslaves comes and he settles up accounts together with them. And the+ one receiving the five talents approached and brought[to the face of] another[same kind] five talents, saying, O lord, you$ delivered over to me five talents. Behold! I gained another five talents in addition to them. Then his /lord declared to him, Well |done |! O beneficially good and faithful bondslave! You$ were continually faithful over a few~ things, I will appoint you$ over many~ things. Enter$ into the joy of your$ /lord! Then the+ one receiving the two talents also approached and said, O lord, you$ delivered over to me two talents. Behold! I gained another two talents in addition to them. His /lord declared to him, Well |done|! O beneficially good and faithful bondslave! You$ were continually faithful over a few~ things, I will appoint you$ over many~ things. Enter$ into the joy of your $ /lord! Then the + one having received the one ~ talent also approached and said, O lord, I knew[from experience] you $, that you$ are a hard human, reaping where you$ did not sow and gathering together from what place you$ did not scatter abroad. And because of being afraid, I departed and hid your$ /talent in the earth. Behold! have what belongs to you $. Then his /lord answered and said to him, O wicked and slothful bondslave, you$ were aware that I reap where I did not sow and I gather together from what place I did not scatter abroad. Therefore it was absolutely necessary for you$ to put[cast] my silver money to the bankers. And when I myself come I would retrieve what belongs to me together with interest. Therefore carry off the talent away from him and give |it| to the one+ having the ten[400 years pay] talents. For to everyone having, it shall be given and it shall be in abundance. But away from the one not having, even what he is having shall be carried off away from him. Also cast& out the useless bondslave into outer dark! There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of the teeth” (Mt. 25:14-30APT). The word talent has two meanings. In this parable it literally means a weight of money, but its spiritual or figurative meaning is natural endowment or distinguished ability. The Lord Jesus Himself is represented by the lord in the parable; the bondslaves represent those who claim to be or pose to be His redeemed. We are to be His bondslaves and good steweards of both our money and our tatents (innate abilities which naturally distinguish us from other individuals. The result of failing to be his beneficially good bondslaves is disastrous, to be cast into the eternal Lake of Fire. Paul instructed, “For just as we are having many members in one body but all the members are not having the same practice, in this way we the many are continually one body in Christ, in fact one by one the members of one another. Now having diverse kinds of grace-gifts according to the grace which is being given to us, |continually mind|: whether prophecy, [continually mind]according to the proportion[analogy] with the faith[committed trust]; whether domestic[deaconry, attending to needs] service, [continually mind]in the domestic service; whether the+ one customarily teaching, [continually mind]in the teaching; whether the+ one customarily entreating, [continually mind]in the entreaty; the + one customarily imparting, [continually mind]in generosity[simplicity]; the+ one superintending, [continually mind]with diligence; the+ one customarily being merciful, [continually mind]with gracious cheerfulness[hilarity]!” (Rom. 12:4-8APT). “Now you& yourselves are Christ’s 0body and members individually. And in fact |ones| whom& The God placed in the Church |are |: firstly [before] apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, thereupon miraculous powers, afterward grace-gifts of curings, assistances, administrations[pilotings], kinds of languages” (1 Cor. 12:27, 28APT). “But to each one of us the grace is given according to the measure of the gratuitous gift of The Christ. Wherefore He says, When ascending unto |Heaven’s| height, He led captivity captive and He gave gifts to the humans. (Now the |fact|, He ascended! What is it except that he also descended first unto the lower parts of the Earth? He Himself Who descended is also Who ascended over above all the Heavens in order that He fully fulfill the all things.) And He Himself gave on the one hand with reference to the+ ones, apostles; and on the other hand with reference to the+ ones, prophets; and on another hand with reference to the+ ones, evangelists; and on still another hand with reference to the+ ones, shepherds and teachers for[to the face of] the purpose of: the equipping of the saints for 0work of the domestic[deaconry, attending to needs] service; for the building[edifcation] up of the body of The Christ til we, the+ all[v. 6], attain: unto the oneness of the faith[commited trust] and of the knowledge of The Son of The God, unto a completely mature man, unto 0measure of stature of the fulness of The Christ” (Eph. 4:7-13APT). Peter exhorted, “According as each+ one received a grace-gift, domestically serve the same in regard to yourselves, as intrinsically good stewards[managers. of affairs] of the various kinds of God’s grace! If (and it is true) anyone speaks, |speak| as God’s oracles! If (and it is true) anyone domestically serves, |domestically serve| as out of strength which The God persistently fully supplies! in order that in all~ things The God be glorified[exalted with majestic radiant splendor] through Jesus Christ, to Whom is the glory[majestic radiant splendor] and the might for /ever and /evermore. Amen!” (1 Pet. 4:10,11APT). Indeed those who receive grace-gifts to lead, guide, shepherd, teach, and administer the local church are required to be good stewards of the grace of The God, but so are all who have been endowed with talents. Every one who has been redeemed by the Blood of The Lord Jesus Christ is required to live his life as a bondslave of His (Rom. 6:16-19) and as a steward entrusted with every asset and benefit in life to be used for The God and as He intends it to be used. E. Your Tasks. 1 Thes. 1:6,3 cf. 2 Cor. 8:5; 5:9-11. Tasks range from eating and drinking to getting dressed to daily chores to secular working to working for The Lord by means of being discipled and discipling others to teaching a Bible class to serving as deacons and / or elders to pastoring youth, to all that is involved in pastoring a local church. All is to be done with all your heart for the glory of The God. “Therefore whether you& eat, whether you & drink, whether you & do anything, continually do all~ things unto God’s glory[majestic radiant splendor]!” (1 Cor. 10:31APT). Do you glorify The God by the way you dress and adorn your body? “And everything what ever certain thing you& do, work out of soul as to The Lord and not to humans! being aware that from The Lord you& shall fully receive for yourselves the reward of the inheritance. For you& serve as a bondslave to The Lord Christ” (Col. 3:23,24ATP). “But that /bondslave, who knew [from experience] the determined will of the lord of himself and did not prepare, nor even do in accord with[to the face of] His determined /will, he shall be thrashed[lit.: to skin] many |times|. But the one who did not know[from experience], but did things~ worthy of stripes shall be thrashed [lit.: to skin] few |times|. Now to everyone to whom much is being given, much will be sought from alongside him. And to whom they themselves bestow[lit.: place alongside] much, they will request exceedingly” (Lk. 12:47,48APT). “Therefore He said, A certain noble[well-born] human journeyed unto a remote[far off] region to receive a kingdom for himself and to return. Now he summoned ten bondslaves of his[himself] and gave to them ten minas[1m=50 shekels or 9 months pay, so 10m=7½ years pay; 5m=3¾ years pay]. And he said to [The face of] them, Continually carry on trading business until I come! But his /citizens were continually hating him. And they sent [with commission] an embassy after him saying, We are determinedly not willing for this+ one to reign over us. And it came to pass in the act of him coming back again and receiving the kingdom, /in fact\ he said that these /bondslaves, to whom he gave the silver money, |are to be called to him in order that he know[from experience] who gained what~ through trading business” (Lk. 19:12-15APT). Read the rest of the story in Luke nineteen. Those who gained by trading received commendation by their lord, Well done, O beneficially good bond slave! Then they were awarded cities over which to rule according to their gain. But the wicked one who buried the investment, that he received from his lord, in the earth was condemned and the investment was taken from him and given to another who gained by trading. Those who determined that He will not reign over them will and in death, which elsewhere Jesus referred to as Gehehnnah, the place of eternal fire, called the Lake of Fire in Revelation (19:20; 20:10,14,15; 21:8). The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the lord He referred to in the parable. The result is the point He was stressing which will be awarded when he returns. How will you be rewarded? Paul testified to The Corinthinans that he had that time of judging in view in all he did. “Wherefore we also of ourselves are being persistently ambitious[make it my aim, lit.: fond of esteem] ones to be well-pleasing ones to Him continually, whether being at home [in community], whether being not at home[not in community]. For it is absolutely necessary for all the+ ones with reference to ourselves to be displayed in front of The Christ’s /judgment seat[Bâymah] on steps in order that each one retrieve[receive back again] the~ things in accord with[to the face of] what he practiced by means of the body, whether beneficially good, whether evil[includes.worthless]. Therefore we, because being aware [to perceive] of the fear of The Lord, continually persuade humans, but we stand being displayed by 0God” (2 Cor. 5:9-11APT). Whether your tasks be spiritual, secular, physical, or mental, they are part of the total stewardship entrusted to you by The God which will be judged at the Baymah Seat. They all are to be managed well for The God’s glory and our ultimate good or else consequences will be paid. What changes will you make in your life and stewardship to be ready to meet your Lord when he gathers together all His bondslaves to reveal to all what gains have been made for Him? Not sure of salvation? Click here to listen to “Knowing the Savior Broadcast”! To reenforce understanding of The Comprehension of Stewardship, answer the following questions: QUESTIONS: THE COMPREHENSION OF STEWARDSHIP 1. Explain what is meant to you by “your responsibility to manage well the totality of your life.” 2. To what does Paul liken our work for the Lord in 1 Corinthians 3? 3. What do the non-combustible materials represent? (Substantiate with Scripture). 4. What do the combustible materials represent? (Substantiate with Scripture). 5. Explain how you are responsible before God as a steward of your time. 6. What is the result of failure to be a good steward of your service (tasks)? (see Luke 12).
| | understood $singular &plural +masc. ^fem. ~neut. /the [ ]basic meaning Go to the Study on Stewardship #2 ...
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